Sunday, 16 September 2012 - Letter to the Editor - Written by: Neil Alho

Why do we allow tap water to be fluoridated when we know that 98 per cent of western Europe does not allow it; over 7,000 workers at the Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.) have called for it to be stopped; over 4,000 medical, dental, scientific and environmental professionals in the U.S. have signed a Statement to End Water Fluoridation; at least 12 Nobel Prize winners have gone on the record as being opposed to it; and 17 communities across Canada have stopped water fluoridation within the past year and a half (including Calgary, Taber and Okotoks)?
Why do we allow tap water to be fluoridated when 33 studies worldwide show an association between elevated fluoride exposure and reduced IQ? The most recent of these, from Harvard, links water fluoridation with lower IQ in children - that is, it makes children less intelligent - or to put it more bluntly, it makes them stupider.
Most parents would never intentionally allow this to happen to their children - but nevertheless it is happening. Harmful and serious side-effects of drinking hydrofluorosilicic acid (a.k.a. fluoride) are being overlooked in favour of its supposed perception that it prevents tooth decay.
Ironically, preventing cavities has nothing to do with swallowing fluoride. We all know we aren't supposed to swallow toothpaste after brushing our teeth. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the U.S. admits that fluoride's protective value is primarily from brushing it on (and spitting it out). After all, you don't swallow suntan lotion to protect your skin against the sun's rays. The same rule applies here - you don't swallow fluoride to protect your teeth from cavities.
Canada's leading fluoride expert - Dr. Hardy Limeback, B.Sc., Ph.D., in Biochemistry, D.D.S., head of the Department of Preventive Dentistry for the University of Toronto, and former president of the Canadian Association for Dental Research - made the following statement: "Children under three should never use fluoridated toothpaste," he counselled. "Or drink fluoridated water. And baby formula must never be made up using Toronto tap water. Never."
We must stop adding this dangerous and benefit-less chemical to our tap water. There is a growing number of concerned citizens who want this harmful, outdated and archaic practice of fluoridation stopped. If you agree, you need to let your city council members know. Call 403-329-7355 and let your voice be heard.

Source: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/letters-to-the-editor/take-a-stand-...

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